Page 59 of Unburied

“My parents weren't good people either, and I know for a fact that I wouldn't be the same person I am today without my brother and Ellen. So even if your father doesn't want to be part of your life, you'll always have us. You are⁠—"

She stopped suddenly, and he found himself transfixed, his heart racing as he waited anxiously for her to continue. When she didn't, he felt compelled to ask, “Is that you telling me you care about me?” He infused some levity into his tone, and she lightly smacked his chest.

“I just...” She paused, her teeth digging into her lower lip. He could practically feel the heat of embarrassment radiating from her body where she lay across his chest. “You know what I mean.”

He grabbed her fingers and lifted them to his mouth, kissing the tips. “I know exactly what you mean. I'm glad I have you.”

The shroud of darkness gave him the confidence to continue, to tell her how he really felt and bare his soul. “Because believe me when I say this, Virginia. I haven't cared for many people in my life. Miles, sure. My brothers from the Marines, absolutely. I'd lay down my life for them in a heartbeat.

“But you... It's different. It's like... I feel lost without you. I feel dirty and unworthy but then I see you. I see my reflection in your eyes, and you make me feel whole and good, like I can be better than the man who raised me. I know it’s crazy, but I want you more every day. I think about you from the second I wake up ‘til my head hits the pillow at night.”

“I feel the same,” she whispered.

Just hearing those words sent a rush of relief through him and something else he didn’t quite know how to identify. All he knew was he wanted more of it. More of her. Vivi was the most amazing woman he’d ever met, and at some point, she’d completely stolen his heart.

“Before you, I hadn’t kissed a woman in ten years.”

There was a beat of stunned silence, and he could feel Vivi staring at him. “Really?”

He nodded. “Remember that night in the hotel?”

“The no kissing rule.” He smiled at the tinge of disdain in her voice. “Yes, I remember that.”

“You should be happy with my no kissing rule.” He smiled and wrapped one hand around the back of her head. “I broke that rule for you.”

He pulled her down for a long, sensual kiss, pouring every ounce of appreciation and admiration he felt for her into it. Vivi lifted her head a moment later. “Since you put it that way… Makes me feel special.”

“You are special, babe. You have no idea.”

Vivi must have heard the seriousness in his voice, and she rearranged herself to see him better in the dim light. “Will you tell me?”

“About the kissing?”

“Yeah.”

He turned onto his side so he faced her and sifted his fingers through her silky hair. “You know life with my dad was pretty bad. I met this girl in high school—Samantha. She came from a good family, helped me with my dyslexia.”

“You’re dyslexic?”

He smiled at the disbelief in her voice. “I hide it well. Or try to, at least. I still slip up sometimes, but she was the first person who took the time to get to know me, to figure out what was wrong. Her brother was dyslexic, too, and I started doing some exercises to help with it.”

Vivi gave a little shake of her head. “I never would have guessed.”

“Good.” He kissed her forehead. “I don’t like for people to know. Makes it sound like a handicap.”

“How’d you get into the military?” she asked.

“Same as anyone else.” He lifted one shoulder. “I passed their tests, which was all that mattered. It wasn’t a huge deal. Not like I was a sniper dealing with numbers all day, you know?”

Vivi nodded a little, and he continued. “Anyway. So, Samantha and I started dating. She was the first person who really saw me, and I just… fell for it. When I left for the military, I told her I wanted to marry her when I got back.”

Vivi drew in a sharp breath, and he swept one hand down her spine to comfort her. “Thank God it didn’t work out that way. A couple years into my tour, I got a letter saying she’d found someone else.”

“Are you kidding me?” Vivi’s voice rose several octaves. “She sounds awful.”

Pretty much his sentiment. “Gets better.”

Vivi snorted. “I don’t think there’s anything “better” about that situation, except that she’s gone.”